Week 7: Rocks and the Rock Cycle

 

  1. This week in lab we investigated the different types of rocks. However, we began by discussing our exam and how to grade exams. I learned that when grading, it is most important to consider where your student started in comparison to their score, instead of focusing on the number itself. We then worked collaboratively to determine how our exams should be graded. Once we graded our exams, we began our activity where we created igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks using starbursts and heat. We created the sedimentary by compacting two types of starbursts together with our hands. We created igneous rocks by melting two starbursts together. Lastly, we created metamorphic rocks by using the heat and pressure from our hands to combine two starbursts. I have included photos of each below. Overall, I would replicate this activity in my future classroom as it was very helpful to visualize and understand the different types of rocks and how they are created.







  2. How do properties such as density, heat, and pressure influence the formation and behavior of materials on Earth such as rocks?

  3. October 9 Lecture Notes:

Metamorphic Rocks 

  • Heat (not enough to melt it) and pressure 

  • Meta; big 

  • Morph; change 

Sedimentary Rocks 

  • Sediment; surface 

  • Not a big change

  • Could undergo heat and pressure and become metamorphic 

  • Could fall into magma and become an igneous rock

Igneous Rocks  

  • Igneous; born from fire 

  • Magma is liquid rock, when it cools it becomes an igneous rock 

Quiz

  • What type of rock would you find fossils in and why? Sedimentary; fossils can’t survive heat and pressure 

Buoyancy

  • Cans sink if the liquid in it is more dense (sugary) than the liquid 

  • They will float if the liquid is less dense than the liquid 

  • Will Pepsi sink or float? Sink

Specific Gravity

  • Specific Gravity = W (air) / (W (air) - W (water)) 

  1. In chapter 7, I deepened my understanding of rocks and the rock cycle. I learned that there are 3 types of rocks: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic. Igneous rocks are formed when magma cools. Sedimentary rocks are formed when small particles are compacted over time. Metamorphic rocks are formed when existing rocks undergo extreme heat and pressure. I found it interesting that the root word of many of these rocks can be used to describe the rock. I also found it interesting how the rocks can transform into different rocks throughout time through heat, pressure, weathering, and erosion. I then learned more about geodes, such as that they are formed when a cavity forms in a rock. One thing I would like more information on is Archimedes’ principle. I am struggling to understand this idea. However, the video was helpful to further explain it. The other photos and visuals throughout this chapter were also helpful in deepening my understanding of rocks and the rock cycle. 

  2. I have no questions, comments, or concerns at this time.

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